It started off innocently enough. My son was watching Lizzy McGwire on
Disney channel. (He was mesmerized by her early on but didn’t know
why) Then he added another show and another, then movies and specials
until my television had been taken over by Disney programing. It was evil
genius. Disney has so much money that they do not even have to run
commercials for other products. Their commercials were music videos for
their stars and extended ads for their own shows. My son didn’t even have
a break to go to the bathroom. But, hey, they still have to show the
occasional public service ad, right? They sure do, but they do it Disney
style. They have neat sounding things like “Friends for Change” where we
can all save the planet by pitching in to clean up just like the stars of their
shows are doing in the ad. That, of course, reminds you to watch their
shows. And their movies have their own actors in them which in turn make
you want to watch their shows even more. Then my son outgrew Disney
channel and Hillary Duff moved on to life after Disney. I thought life
would improve. In stepped my oldest daughter and Hannah Montana. My
wife watched the show once and said, “So basically all you need is fake blond
hair and you can be a star in America.” Talk about hitting the nail on the
head. My youngest daughter emulated her sister and was soon watching that
and High School Musical (a movie in which there isn’t even a musical.
Figure that one out.) Camp Rock and anything else with the Jonas Brothers
in it. On Halloween one year I went all over town trying to find a blond
wig so one of my daughters could dress as Hannah. Then they fought over
who was going to dress up like her. I handed out candy that year and I
swear every other girl had that same blond wig and outfit. Disney knows
how to market. Before Hannah could fade away, Demi Lavato and Selena Gomez
became the rage. Wizards of Waverly Place cashed in on the Harry Potter
craze in the Disney way…shows, merchandise and music. It is like
pre-puberty crack. Time had been measured not in minutes or days but
shows. “Tomorrow night is the High School Musical sing along night”
Really? I thought it was Saturday. The oldest daughter outgrew it
but the youngest one is still hooked. And Disney stars need not
worry about exposure after Disney is through with them. They either have a
meltdown or go on “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC which is owned
by…Disney! The day will come, my friends, when you’ll be watching your
favorite show and realize that person you’re watching used to be on Disney
Channel. They are taking over. They can’t be stopped. On a
happier note, it beats watching “Teen Mom” on MTV with them and having the
conversations that would follow.
Disney channel. (He was mesmerized by her early on but didn’t know
why) Then he added another show and another, then movies and specials
until my television had been taken over by Disney programing. It was evil
genius. Disney has so much money that they do not even have to run
commercials for other products. Their commercials were music videos for
their stars and extended ads for their own shows. My son didn’t even have
a break to go to the bathroom. But, hey, they still have to show the
occasional public service ad, right? They sure do, but they do it Disney
style. They have neat sounding things like “Friends for Change” where we
can all save the planet by pitching in to clean up just like the stars of their
shows are doing in the ad. That, of course, reminds you to watch their
shows. And their movies have their own actors in them which in turn make
you want to watch their shows even more. Then my son outgrew Disney
channel and Hillary Duff moved on to life after Disney. I thought life
would improve. In stepped my oldest daughter and Hannah Montana. My
wife watched the show once and said, “So basically all you need is fake blond
hair and you can be a star in America.” Talk about hitting the nail on the
head. My youngest daughter emulated her sister and was soon watching that
and High School Musical (a movie in which there isn’t even a musical.
Figure that one out.) Camp Rock and anything else with the Jonas Brothers
in it. On Halloween one year I went all over town trying to find a blond
wig so one of my daughters could dress as Hannah. Then they fought over
who was going to dress up like her. I handed out candy that year and I
swear every other girl had that same blond wig and outfit. Disney knows
how to market. Before Hannah could fade away, Demi Lavato and Selena Gomez
became the rage. Wizards of Waverly Place cashed in on the Harry Potter
craze in the Disney way…shows, merchandise and music. It is like
pre-puberty crack. Time had been measured not in minutes or days but
shows. “Tomorrow night is the High School Musical sing along night”
Really? I thought it was Saturday. The oldest daughter outgrew it
but the youngest one is still hooked. And Disney stars need not
worry about exposure after Disney is through with them. They either have a
meltdown or go on “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC which is owned
by…Disney! The day will come, my friends, when you’ll be watching your
favorite show and realize that person you’re watching used to be on Disney
Channel. They are taking over. They can’t be stopped. On a
happier note, it beats watching “Teen Mom” on MTV with them and having the
conversations that would follow.
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